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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Indonesian

    Nasi Goreng

    Published: Nov 7, 2016 · Modified: Mar 3, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 45 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free
    A plate of nasi goreng with a text title overlay.

    Sometimes referred to as Indonesian Fried Rice, this Nasi Goreng is similar to the Spanish Paella. This version uses a beautifully fragrant almond paste and it also has a nice bit of a chilli kick to it! Wonderfully fragrant rice, cooked with vegetables, chicken, prawns and egg. If you have never tried Nasi Goreng before, you will be surprised at just how easy it is to make.

    A plate of nasi goreng next to some cilantro, limes, garlic and an onion.
    Jump to:
    • What is Nasi Goreng?
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make nasi goreng - Step by step
    • What vegetables can be added?
    • Can it be vegetarian?
    • What to serve it with?
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More rice recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    What is Nasi Goreng?

    Nasi Goreng, is an Indonesian rice dish whose name literally meaning "fried rice". It contains meat and vegetables (usually chicken, shrimp (prawns) and onions).

    What makes Nasi Goreng different from fried rice is the sauce it is cooked in. The sauce is made from a paste of garlic, ginger, almonds, lemongrass and spices. This is a very fragrant dish with complex flavours, but it is absolutely delicious and far easier to make than it sounds.

    It is quite a time intensive recipe to make, but not difficult. It is well worth the time and effort.

    Why you will love it

    • A really interesting way to eat rice
    • Easy to adapt with different ingredients
    • An easy Indonesian dish to cook at home
    • Impressive for guests

    Ingredients needed

    • Nasi goreng paste - We have made our own for this recipe, but ready made pastes can be bought.
    • Eggs and milk - Used to make the omelette. Try to use the freshest eggs possible and either organic or free range.
    • Tamari sauce - Used to flavour the omelette. You can substitute this for Soy sauce or omit completely.
    • Chicken - We used chicken breast, but thighs will work well too.
    • Brown rice - White rice ca be used too.
    • Onions and mushrooms - used as a base for the fried rise.
    • Prawns (shrimp) - We used ready cooked king prawns for this.
    • Green beans - To serve and add some greens.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make nasi goreng - Step by step

    One: Put the peppercorns, nutmeg, almonds, turmeric, salt and chilli flakes in a pestle & mortar or food processor and combine - it doesn't need to be completely smooth. Once combined, put into a bowl and set aside.

    A small wooden bowl full of ground almonds and spices.

    Two: Combine the ginger, garlic, lemon grass and lime juice in a pestle and mortar until smooth. Mix in the fish sauce, oil and lime juice.

    A mortar bowl containing a garlic and ginger paste.

    Three: Add the dry almond mix to the ginger/garlic and mix to form a paste. Set aside.

    A mortar bowl containing nasi goreng paste.

    Four: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and fry the chicken pieces until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

    Chunks of chicken breast cooking in a frying pan.

    Five: Boil the rice until cooked. Drain and put to the side.

    Cooked rice in a saucepan.

    Six: Heat the rest of the olive oil in the pan and lightly fry the onions and mushrooms until golden brown.

    Chopped onions and mushrooms cooking in a frying pan.

    Seven: Put the green beans on to boil.

    Green beans cooking in a saucepan.

    Eight: Add the paste to the onions and mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes.

    Onions, mushrooms and a brown paste cooking in a frying pan.

    Nine: Add the rice and boiling water and continue to cook until the water has reduced.

    Rice, onions, mushrooms and paste cooking in a frying pan.

    Ten: Add the chicken, prawns and the green beans and cook for a further 2 minutes.

    Fried rice, cooked chicken chunks, cooked shrimp and green beans cooking in a frying pan.

    Eleven: Beat the eggs, milk and tamari sauce (optional).

    A bowl containing two cracked eggs, milk and some tamari sauce.

    Twelve: In a separate pan heat a little oil and make an omelette with the whisked egg mix.

    A brown omelette cooking in a frying pan.

    Thirteen: Once the omelette is cooked, slice into 2x1 inch pieces.

    A thin omelette sliced into rectangles.

    Fourteen: Serve the Nasi Goreng, topped with pieces of the sliced omelette and chopped coriander (cilantro).

    Nasi Goreng on a plate next to a bunch of cilantro and a fork.

    What vegetables can be added?

    This is a great recipe to make when you have a few different vegetables in your fridge that need using up. Just chop them all up and add them in. Courgettes (zucchinis) would work well, as does aubergine (eggplant) and celery.

    We also sometimes add some spinach or kale in at the end for a green veggie boost.

    Can it be vegetarian?

    Of course you can! Simply omit the chicken and prawns and replace with extra veggies. As said above, courgette (zucchini) and aubergine (eggplant) work really well because of their meaty texture. Instead of using small mushrooms, you could use large slices of Portobello mushrooms.

    Another vegetarian option would be to use tofu - a pre-prepared, marinated tofu would make an easy addition.

    Chunks of cooked chicken, prawns and green beans mixed into fried rice.

    What to serve it with?

    This is really a whole meal in itself, so doesn't really need anything other than the omelette and beans. If you don't want an omelette, simply serve with a fried egg. Served this way, a runny yolk will make a nice addition to the rice. 

    If you do want something else with it, then some tenderstem broccoli or spring greens will compliment the dish nicely.

    A plate of chicken and shrimp fried rice in front of a bowl of more fried rice.

    FAQs

    Do I have to use chicken and prawns in Nasi Goreng?

    Chicken and prawns (shrimp) are the traditional protein to include in Nasi Goreng, but of course you can use any meat you like. Turkey or beef would both be a good substitute for the chicken. And instead of the prawns (shrimp), how about using mussels or chunks of white fish, like cod?

    Do I have to include the omelette?

    No, not at all. Many people top their Nasi Goreng with a fried egg or a poached egg. If you don't like eggs, you could completely leave this part out.

    How to store Nasi Goreng

    When the Nasi Goreng has fully cooled, portion into air-tight containers and keep in the fridge. Stored this way, it will be good for up to 2 days. To reheat, either use the microwave, or reheat on the hob by stir-frying briefly, until heated through.

    Can You Freeze Nasi Goreng?

    Yes you can - but not the omelette part. If you have made too much, simply cool fully and portion out into air-tight containers and freeze. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost fully before reheating by the above method. You will need to make a new omelette for the reheated version though, if you want it.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • To keep it vegetarian, replace the meat and fish with courgette (zucchini), aubergine (eggplant), Portobello mushrooms and/or tofu.
    • Don't freeze the omelette, simply make a new one when preparing leftovers.
    • Add some spinach at the same time as the chicken/prawns for a green veggie boost.
    • If you don't have tamari sauce you can use a low salt soy sauce, or omit this ingredient completely.

    More rice recipes

    • Butternut Squash Risotto
    • The BEST Easy Spanish Rice
    • Mushroom and Spinach Risotto
    • Coconut Rice Pudding

    If you’ve tried this nasi goreng recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Nasi Goreng

    Nasi Goreng, also known as Indonesian Fried Rice, combines rice, prawns (shrimp) and chicken, for a fragrant and delicious filling meal.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    4.94 from 33 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indonesian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
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    Fish
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    Gluten
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    Meat
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    Nuts
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    Shellfish
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 402kcal
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    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures

    Paste:

    • 1  teaspoon black peppercorns
    • 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
    • 100 g Almonds
    • 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
    • 2 Garlic clove
    • 30 g Fresh ginger - chopped
    • 1 stalk Lemongrass - bruised then finely chopped
    • 2 teaspoon fish sauce
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 1 Lime - (juice only)
    • 1 teaspoon Sea salt

    Omelette:

    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 tablespoon Skimmed milk
    • 1 tablespoon tamari sauce

    Other Ingredients:

    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 100 g brown rice
    • 2 Onions - chopped
    • 10 Mushrooms - sliced
    • 200 g Green beans
    • 150 g Chicken breast
    • 200 g King prawns
    • 200 ml boiling water
    • Fresh coriander (cilantro) - (to serve)

    Instructions

    • Put the peppercorns, nutmeg, almonds, turmeric, salt and chilli flakes in a pestle & mortar or food processor and combine – it doesn’t need to be completely smooth. Once combined, put into a bowl and set aside.
    • Combine the ginger, garlic, lemon grass and lime juice in a pestle and mortar until smooth. Mix in the fish sauce, oil and lime juice.
    • Add the dry almond mix to the ginger/garlic and mix to form a paste. Set aside.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan and fry the chicken pieces until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
    • Boil the rice until cooked. Drain and put to the side.
    • Heat the rest of the olive oil in the pan and lightly fry the onions and mushrooms until golden brown.
    • Put the green beans on to boil.
    • Add the paste to the onions and mushrooms and cook for 2 minutes.
    • Add the rice and boiling water and continue to cook until the water has reduced.
    • Add the chicken, prawns and half the green beans and cook for a further 2 minutes.
    • Beat the eggs, milk and tamari sauce (optional).
    • In a separate pan heat a little oil and make an omelette with the whisked egg mix.
    • Once the omelette is cooked, slice into 2x1 inch pieces.
    • Serve the Nasi Goreng, topped with the chopped omelette and finely chopped coriander (cilantro).

    Notes

    • To keep it vegetarian, replace the meat and fish with courgette (zucchini), aubergine (eggplant), Portobello mushrooms and/or tofu.
    • Don't freeze the omelette, simply make a new one when preparing leftovers.
    • Add some spinach at the same time as the chicken/prawns for a green veggie boost.
    • If you don't have tamari sauce you can use a low salt soy sauce, or omit this ingredient completely.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 351mg | Potassium: 486mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 3.8mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Laura H

      November 12, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      Never heard of this before but I like how bright it is! Looks tasty to me :)

      Reply
    2. Melanie Edjourian

      November 09, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      The Nasi Goreng sounds good, I'm not sure if I have tried that ;-)

      Reply
    3. Helen Costello

      November 09, 2016 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      This looks like a perfect Saturday evening recipe - I love rice dishes with a kick.

      Reply
    4. francesca

      November 09, 2016 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      This sounds lovely

      Reply
    5. Candice Nikeia

      November 08, 2016 at 10:29 pm

      This looks so yummy! and its s easy to make! I might have to try this in the morning!

      xoxo, Candice

      Reply
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